Probe into Castro’s murder at a standstill

CEBU, Philippines — Police are still facing a blank wall in their investigation into the ambush-slay of former Cebu City Assistant Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro.

Three weeks after Castro’s vehicle was peppered with bullets by an unknown assailant, police still have no leads on the gunman and have no persons of interest at this time.

Castro was killed in an ambush as she was driving her car along Escario Extension in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City on January 17.

Senior Superintendent Royina Garma, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director, said CCPO will conduct a case buildup before inviting several individuals to shed light on the killing of Castro.

“We really need to have a strong evidence,” said Garma.

She said police have identified two witnesses, who are still being convinced to subscribe to an official affidavit, a statement of facts made under oath and is needed in filing a case against the assailant. Informal accounts are considered non-admissible in court.

Motives

On the other hand, three new angles are being looked into by the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) as possible motives in the killing of Castro.

These are personal conflict, money and properties.

SITG will look into Castro’s conflict with some former members of the Regional Special Operations Group in Central Visayas.

Seven policemen— Superintendent Rex Derillo; Senior Inspectors Romeo Sentinta Jr. and Ruel Burlat; Police Officers Roy Carlo Veloso, Joseph Bugtal, Esmeraldo Quillosa and Cesar Pandong—filed two counts of direct assault and malicious mischief against Castro for allegedly breaking into and causing disturbance at the RSOG-7 Office, along with six alleged cohorts, in 2016.

Castro also filed before the Ombudsman charges of obstruction of justice and grave misconduct against the policemen for “harboring and concealing” a certain Maricel Gregory, who was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by a Talisay City trial court for a libel case filed by Castro.

Gregory was reportedly the common-law partner of Greco Sanchez, Castro’s estranged husband.

At a press conference yesterday, Garma said Castro’s mother and brother submitted documents that may help in the speedy resolution of murder case.

But Garma refused to disclose the contents of the documents pending ongoing investigation.

Garma said though police are not discounting the previous angles, such as drugs, work and personal grudge.

Castro was previously linked with controversial cop, SPO2 Adonis Dumpit, a former close-in aide of Mayor Tomas Osmeña. Dumpit, who was allegedly transporting illegal drugs, was killed in an alleged shootout with fellow men in uniform in Tagbilaran City last year. — KBQ, (FREEMAN)